Coding jig for lock cylinders



DeC- 8, 1936 J. w. FlTz GERALD 2,063,085

.CODING JIG FOR LOCK CYLINDERS Filed July 13, 1955 Patented Dec. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES ATEN'EI OFFICE CODING JIG FOR LOCK CYLINDERS Application July 13, 1935, Serial No. 31,246

6 Claims.

This invention relates to coding xtures for lock cylinders and has as an object to provide a convenient, compact jig for use by lock and key service stations in the fitting of uncoded cylinders to any given key.

It is now the custom to provide uncoded lock cylinders wherein all of the tumblers are of the same length and project beyond the diameter of the cylinder so that by inserting a selected key and cutting off the projecting ends of the tumblers, the cylinder may be properly fitted to such key.

In locks of the types shown in Patent No. 2,047,966, the cylinders have six tumblers, three projecting from one side of the cylinder and acted upon by one edge of the key, and the other three projecting from the opposite side of the cylinder and acted upon by the opposite edge of the key, and it is for this type of lock cylinder that the jig of the present invention is particularly adapted.

This invention therefore more specifically contemplates the provision of a compact, simple jig adapted to hold a six tumbler lock cylinder in position with either of the projecting ends of its tumblers readily accessible to a Cutting tool such as a hand file or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coding jig of the character described which has `means to hold the tumblers in proper operative relationship to a key in position and to guide a hand file or other similar cutting tool so as to insure cutting oi the tumblers to the proper length.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herein-disclosed invention may be made as ,come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure l is a side View of the jig with parts broken away and in section showing its manner of use;

Figure 2 is a view similar to`Figure 1, but with the lock cylinder inserted from the other end; and

Figure 3 is a view taken on the plane of the line 3 3 in Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing, the numeral 5 represents the body or base of a jig which is U-shaped in transverse section to provide spaced arms 6 and l, the outer ends of which have their inner faces provided with round bottomed grooves 8 and 9, re- '.5 spectively, which coact to provide an opening to receive a lock cylinder IIl with its tumblers II in line with the space or slot between the arms 6 and l.

The U-shaped body 5 is adapted to be clamped between the jaws I2 of a vice or other suitable holding means, and to facilitate proper disposition thereof between the jaws of the vice, the outer faces of the arms 6 and I have shoulders I3 engageable with the edges of the vice jaws as shown in Figure 3. By being clamped between the jaws of the vice in this manner, it follows that the cylinder disposed in the opening provided by the complementary grooves 8 and 9 will be securely gripped and held in a fixed position between the arms 6 and 'I with the ends of the tumblers II projecting from one side of the cylinder in an upstanding position so as to be readily accessible for filing.

The end surfaces I4 and I5 of the arms 6 and '.25 l, respectively, which form the top of the jig when the same is clamped in a vice, are flat and lie in a plane forming a chord to the circle coinciding with the walls of the grooves 8 and 9. This plane on which the surfaces .I4 and I5 lie is thus beneath the upper periphery of the cylinder diameter, and as it is perpendicular to the slot of the U-shaped body and consequently the longitudinal axes of the tumblers and intersects the diameter of the cylinder in line with the side edges of the tumbler chamber I6 in which the tumblers are slidably disposed, the surfaces I4 and I5 provide a gauge for filing off the projecting ends of the tumblers. The entire body 5 is of hardened metal so that the gauge surfaces I4 and I5 are resistant to filing, and to prevent cutting the cylinder at the ends of the tumbler chamber, upstanding anges I1 are provided.

Lock cylinders are usually equipped with stop lugs I9 projecting from the inner face of their heads 2D, and to accommodate this lug and also utilize the same to properly hold the cylinder in its proper position of rotation at which the tumblers are parallel with the arms 6 and 1 as noted, the arm l has notches or recesses 2l cut in its opposite side edge portions. With the cylinder inserted from the left, as shown in Figure 1, the stop lug I9 engages the notch 2| at the left hand side of the jig so as to dispose one end of the tumblers uppermost in position for cutting, and

with the cylinder inserted into the jig from the opposite or right hand side, as shown in Figure 2, its stop lug I9 enters the other notch 2l at the right hand side of the jig, which, of course, necessitates the cylinder being turned so that the other ends of the tumblers are uppermost.

As noted hereinbefore, the jig of this invention is intended primarily for use with six tumbler cylinders wherein the tumblers are spring urged in -alternately opposite directions, the springs holding the tumblers in engagement with their respective steps on the key. However, to permit the passage of the key, the keyways in the tumblers are longer than the width of the key blade so that even with a key properly in position, it is possible to depress the tumblers against the action of their springs out of their positions to which they are moved by the key. Hence, it is necessary to provide means for holding the -tumblers against such movement while their projecting ends are being .led off and for this purpose, three pressure screws 23, 24 and 25 are provided.

These screws freely slidably pass through apertures 2B in the closed end or bottom of the U- shaped body and are threaded in a block 21 disposed between the arms 6 and 'l and seated on shoulders 28 on the opposite inner faces of the arms. Overhanging ends 29 on the block hold the same against endwise displacement. The spacing between adjacent screws is equal to the distance between alternate tumblers so that the pointed ends 30 of the screws will engage alternate tumblers of a cylinder properly positioned in the jig. The distance between the endmost pressure screws and the sides of the jig is such that when the cylinder is inserted from the left, as shown in Figure 1, the screws align with tumblers numbers 2, 4 and B, considering the number l tumbler to be closest to the head of the cylinder. These tumblers are acted upon by the lower edge of the key in this position of the cylinder and must be held against downward movement during the ling of their then upper projecting ends. This is the function of the screws which are tightened so that their inner ends bear firmly against the adjacent ends of the tummblers to hold them against the lower edge of the key.

With these tumblers thus secured against downward movement and the other tumblers resting on the upper edge of the key, as shown, it is possible to quickly and accurately file off the upper projecting ends of all cf the tumblers flush with the side edges of the tumbler chamber.

After the upper projecting ends of the tumblers are all filed oi, the cylinder isremoved by first loosening the pressure screws sufciently to clear all of the tumblers, and is then reinserted from the right side of the jig, as shown in Figure 2. With the cylinder inserted from this side of the jig, the pressure screws align with tumblers I, 3 and 5, which are now the tumblers acted upon by the lower edge of the key and thus capable of being pushed down. As before, the pressure screws are tightened to hold these tumblers I, 3 and 5 against depression and to maintain all the lower edges of the tumblers in line. The projecting upper ends of the tumblers are then iiled off as before whereupon all of the tumblers are cut to their proper length quickly and accurately.

By the provision of the block 21, the necessity for providing threads in the hardened body is avoided and also the screws are free to adjust themselves to the tumblers.

From vthe foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that this invention provides a compact and simple jig which makes the coding of six tumbler lock cylinders to any given key a simple matter.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention is:

l. A jig for iitting an uncoded lock cylinder to a given key by cutting off the projecting ends of its tumblers, comprising a U-shaped body having a cylinder receiving opening formed by complementary grooves in the inner faces of its arms and tool guiding surfaces on the ends of the arms, said grooves being so positioned with respect to said tool guiding surfaces that the plane on which said tool guiding surfaces lie intersects the diameter of a cylinder disposed in said opening substantially in line with the edges formed by the intersection of the tumbler receiving chambers outer side edges, with the outer diameter of the cylinder so that the projecting ends of tumblers in said chamber may be cut off ilush with said edges of the tumbler receiving chamber by a tool guided on said surfaces, and means cooperating with projecting portions on the cylinder to hold the cylinder in a predetermined position of rotation with respect to the guide surfaces.

2. A jig for fitting an uncoded lock cylinder to a given key by cutting off the ends of its tumblers which project outside the cylinder, comprising a body having a cylinder opening adapted to receive a cylinder, said body being slotted to accommodate the tumblers and to enable the body to grip the cylinder upon the application of pressure on its opposite sides as by being clamped in a vice, the end surfaces of the body at opposite sides of the slot lying on a plane spaced from the center of the cylinder receiving opening a distance such that tumblers cut off in line with said surfaces with a key in place are properly cut so that said end surfaces form guides for a cutting tool, and means mounted on the body and engageable with the tumbler ends to hold the turnblers firmly against the key so that their positions with respect to the key are not disturbed l during cutting of their projecting ends.

3. A jig for iitting an uncoded lock cylinder to a given key by cutting off the projecting ends of its tumblers, comprising a body having a cylinder opening adapted to receive a cylinder, said body being slotted to accommodate the tumblers and to enable the body to grip the cylinder upon the application of pressure on its opposite sides as by being clamped in a vice, the end surfaces of the body at opposite sides of the slot lying on a plane spaced from the center of the cylinder receiving opening a distance such that tumblers cut off in line with said surfaces with a key in place are properly out so that said end surfaces form guides for a cutting tool, and screws projecting up into said slot and adapted to apply pressure on the tumblers to hold them firmly engaged with the key during the cutting of their projecting ends.

4. A jig for fitting an uncoded lock cylinder having tumblers projectible alternately from opposite sides of the cylinder to a given double bitted key by cutting off the projecting lends of the tumblers while the key is in place comprising a body having a tool guiding surface and a cylinder receiving opening and being slotted to allow the projecting ends of the tumblers of a cylinder in place to extend beyond said tool guiding surface to be readily accessible for cutting by a tool guided on said surface, and pressure screws arranged to push the tumblers against a key in place to hold the same properly against the key during cutting of their ends.

5. A jig for tting an uncoded lock cylinder having tumblers projectible alternately from opposite sides of the cylinder to a given double bitted key by cutting oi'l the projecting ends of the tumblers while the key is in place comprising a body having a tool guiding surface and a cylinder receiving opening and being slotted to allow the projecting ends of the tumblers of a cylinder in place to extend beyond said tool guiding surface to be readily accessible for cutting by a tool guided on said surface, and pressure screws arranged to push the tumblers against a key in place to hold the same properly against the key during cutting of their ends, said pressure screws being spaced apart the distance between alternate tumblers so that by determining the position of rotation of the cylinder and its longitudinal position with respect to the screws a selected half of the tumblers may be positioned to be engaged by said pressure screws.

6. A jig for fitting an uncoded lock cylinder having tumblers projectible alternately from opposite sides of the cylinder to a given double bitted key by cutting olf the projecting ends of the tumblers while the key is in place comprising a body having a tool guiding surface and a cylinder receiving opening and being slotted to allow the projecting ends of the tumblers of a cylinder in place to extend beyond said tool guiding surface to be readily accessible for cutting by a tool guided on said surface, and pressure screws arranged to push the tumblers against a key in place to hold the same properly against the key during cutting of their ends, said pressure screws being spaced apart the distance between alternate tumblers so that by determining the position of rotation of the cylinder and its longitudinal position with respect to the screws a selected half of the tumblers may be positioned to be engaged by said pressure screws, and the spacing between the sides of the body at opposite ends of its cylinder receiving opening and the adjacent pressure screws being such that with the cylinder inserted from one end of the opening with its head abutting the adjacent side of the body certain of the tumblers are in line with the pressure screws, and with the cylinder inserted from the other end of the opening and its head engaging the other side of the body the remaining tumblers are in line with the pressure screws.

JOHN W. FITZ GERALD. 

